5 Things Arizona Diamondbacks Fans Need To Know About Archie Bradley

5 Things Arizona Diamondbacks Fans Need To Know About Archie Bradley

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Archie Bradley came out of the pitching-rich 2011 MLB Amateur Draft. The Diamondbacks selected him No. 7 overall -- ahead of Jose Fernandez, Sonny Gray and Dylan Bundy. The D-Backs also had the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2011 draft and selected another righty pitcher in Trevor Bauer who was dealt to Cleveland where he is currently struggling to remain part of a beleaguered Cleveland starting staff.

5. Who is Archie Bradley

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Who is Archie Bradley

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After a brilliant Oklahoma prep career the D-Backs took him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2011. Arizona was embarrassed when they did not sign their 2010 first rounder; the No. 7 pick was compensation for that loss. Bradley had leverage as Oklahoma University's No. 1 quarterback recruit. He made Arizona sweat, waiting until the last possible minute to sign a deal that gave him a $ 5 million signing bonus.

4. Archie Bradley's Command

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4. Archie Bradley's Command

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Bradley's command isn't horrible but it should be more advanced. In 2014, he threw 24.1 innings and allowed triple-A hitters four home runs -- as many as he yielded in 123.1 double-A innings the previous year. After only five triple-A starts this season he was sent packing back to double-A. When Bradley gets the ball over the dish he doesn't allow ugly numbers in the way of hits or homers.

3. Archie Bradley's Control

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3. Archie Bradley's Control

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As they'd say in Oklahoma, Bradley is wilder than a peach orchard boar. His first full season, 2012, he pitched exclusively in low-A ball where he walked 84 in 136 innings. 2013 gave the D-Backs' brass a glimmer of hope. Bradley's control was still off, but he put up some gaudy numbers. However, in 2014, between double and triple-A, 40 percent of the pitches he's thrown have been outside of the strike zone.

2. Archie Bradley's Stuff

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2. Archie Bradley's Stuff

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Bradley has dialed triple digits and has an above-average 12-to-6 bender. Besides that there isn't a whole lot to talk about. His change is still a work in progress. His arm action is too long as he is still a thrower and not a pitcher. Without a third pitch no starter can survive major league hitting.

1. Archie Bradley's Future

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1. Archie Bradley's Future

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The potential is there. At this point, though, that's all it is -- potential. The D-Backs surely would liked to have seen a more impressive 2014 campaign that would have landed him in their subpar starting staff. But that just didn't happen, and seeing that Bradley is not on the 40-man roster it would be a wasted call to bring him to the big leagues even for a September start. Perhaps 2015 will be kinder. If not, Bradley is a bust.